Bracket for supplying an electrical connector

Abstract

A bracket 12 for mounting an electrical connector 28 to a trailer hitch assembly 10 is described. The bracket 12 is formed from a single sheet of material which is bent at two 90° angles L1 and L2 to form a top section 12C and a first extension 12A and a second extension 12B. The top section 12C with the two extensions 12A and 12B have a U-shape which conforms with a hitch bar 22 having a rectangular or square cross-section on a trailer hitch assembly 10. The first and second extensions 12A and 12B are provided with securing holes 20 through which a nut and bolt assembly 18 is inserted to secure the bracket 12 to the hitch bar 22. The second extension 12B extends beyond the bottom 22B of the hitch bar 22 and has an aperture 14 through which an electrical connector 28 is mounted.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bracket for mounting an electrical connector to a trailer hitch with a hitch bar with an essentially rectangular cross-section and which extends across the rear of a vehicle which comprises: (a) a hook shaped plate having a U-shaped section conforming to the cross-section of the hitch bar and having a short extension which extends downward beyond the hitch bar and a long extension spaced from the short extension which extends downward beyond the hitch bar and the short extension; wherein the long extension is provided with an opening for mounting the electrical connector; and   (b) securing means extending between the short extension and the long extension beneath the hitch bar for holding the plate on the hitch bar.   
     
     
       2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the securing means is at least one bolt extension and the long extension and between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar. 
     
     
       3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the securing means is provided between the short extension and the long extension adjacent to the hitch bar. 
     
     
       4. The bracket of claim 3 wherein the securing means is a bolt extending through openings in the short extension and the long extension between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar. 
     
     
       5. In a trailer hitch assembly to be mounted on a vehicle, the hitch including a hitch bar with an essentially rectangular cross-section which extends across the rear of a vehicle, the improvement for mounting an electrical connector on the hitch assembly which comprises: (a) a bracket for mounting an electrical connector to a trailer hitch with a hitch bar with an essentially rectangular cross-section extending across the rear of a vehicle which comprises: a hook shaped plate having a U-shaped section conforming to the cross-section of the hitch bar and having a short extension which extends downward from the hitch bar and a long extension spaced from the short extension which extends downward from the hitch bar; wherein the long extension is provided with an opening for mounting the electrical connector; and securing means extending between the short extension and the long extension for holding the plate on the hitch bar; and   (b) an electrical connector mounted through the opening in the bracket.   
     
     
       6. The hitch assembly of claim 5 wherein the securing means is at least one bolt extending through openings in the short extension and the long extension and between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar. 
     
     
       7. The hitch assembly of claim 5 wherein the securing means is provided between the short extension and the long extension adjacent to the hitch bar. 
     
     
       8. The hitch assembly of claim 7 wherein the securing means is a bolt extending through openings in the short extension and the long extension between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar. 
     
     
       9. In a hitch assembly mounted on a vehicle, the hitch including a hitch bar with an essentially rectangular cross-section which extends across the rear of a vehicle, the improvement for mounting an electrical connector on the hitch assembly which comprises: (a) a bracket for mounting an electrical connector to a trailer hitch with a hitch bar with an essentially rectangular cross-section extending across the rear of a vehicle which comprises: a hook shaped plate having a U-shaped section conforming to the cross-section of the hitch bar and having a short extension which extends downward from the hitch bar and a long extension spaced from the short extension which extend downward from the hitch bar; wherein the long extension is provided with an opening for mounting the electrical connector; and securing means extending between the short extension and the long extension for holding the plate on the hitch bar; and   (b) an electrical connector mounted through the opening in the bracket.   
     
     
       10. In a hitch assembly of claim 9 wherein the securing means is at least one bolt extending through openings in the short extension and the long extension and between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar. 
     
     
       11. In a hitch assembly of claim 9 wherein the securing means is provided between the short extension and the long extension adjacent to the hitch bar. 
     
     
       12. In a hitch assembly of claim 9 wherein the securing means is a bolt extending through openings in the short extension and the long extension between the short extension and the long extension with a nut on the bolt for holding the bracket on the hitch bar.